FLEMINGTON — A long line of voters stretched down the hall, four days before Election Day, at the Hunterdon County clerk's office today. Four days after Hurricane Sandy struck, most still didn't have power at home and they waited patiently, almost welcoming the diversion.

Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno yesterday issued voting changes to try to make it easier for residents to cast their votes. In her capacity at the state's chief election official, she's working with storm-related polling issues and is encouraging residents to take advantage of "mail-in" voting, which may also be picked up and completed in person.

Under the directive issued by the secretary of state's office, county clerk and election offices must open Friday through Monday from at least 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and county Boards of Election must learn today which polling places might not be accessible, and then work out alternative sites.

In Hunterdon, County Clerk Mary Melfi's office at the Hall of Records on Main Street in Flemington will keep those hours those four days.

Traffic was brisk today, Nov. 2. Schools remain closed today. Matt Zwerling, a senior at Hunterdon Central High School and Readington Township resident, was "very excited" to vote for the first time, even "under these odd circumstances."

He has actively followed politics for six years, he said, and this year has watched all of the debates, followed the pundits and polls and read up on the issues. He's already a registered Democrat, he said, and was casting a "mail-in" ballot in person with his dad, Eric.

Next year he could do the same because he hopes to attend college out-of-state.

Melfi said that several college students who had already been mailed ballots are instead voting in person because classes were cancelled and they were unexpectedly back in Hunterdon. "We can do that," she said.

She couldn't help the woman from Manahawkin who lost her home and is staying with her sister in Hunterdon County. "I don't have her ballot here," she said. She does have federal ballots, but even those include the 7th Congressional district, which doesn't include Ocean County.

"I don't know what she'll do," Melfi said about the out-of-area woman.

Melfi spoke while verifying information on the mail-in ballots applications of new arrivals. Staff members were efficiently handing out the applications and then directing people through the process.

The Klein family of Readington Township waited together for about 15 minutes, even though youngest members weren't voting. Brian Klein said the wait was "not too bad. The line is moving."

And the building is heated. "We have had no power the past five days," he said. "Like everyone."

Whitney Quesenbery of High Bridge is a poll worker but was still casting a mail-in ballot in person. "I though I'd get it done. Who knows with this craziness going on" what Election Day will hold. She anticipates that voting will take place as usual at the rescue squad, saying it's open now to residents seeking warmth.

Doreen and David Harris of Flemington were in the building on other business, saying they'd voted this past weekend. "We were on a walk," said David Harris.

"And the door was open," his wife finished. Not sure what their works days would hold on Nov. 6, she said they dropped in and voted without waiting in line.

Tom Weippert of Raritan Township planned to come in earlier to vote, but kept putting it off and was now in line. He said, "Unfortunately I waited, but I'm told it's moving pretty quickly."More Hunterdon County news: NJ.com/hunterdon • Facebook • Twitter